This deserves publicity - 'English democrat' moron elected in Doncaster

I am against elected mayors. I am also against the governments proposal to make councils have either these mayors or what they describe as 'strong leaders' - institutionalising boss politics in other words.

And when fuckwits like father of right-wing Tory MP Philip Davies get elected in Doncaster owing to the years of corruption, then this alone should show what a mistake such an idea is

read on...

PETER DAVIES (English Democrat mayor of Doncaster)
BBC Radio Sheffield
Monday, 8 June 2009
Speakers: Toby Foster (BBC Radio Sheffield) Peter Davies
TF: Thanks very much for joining us. I said that we didn’t see it coming - did you see it coming? Did you expect to win?
PD: Well, well not really. A great friend of mine told me the night before I was going to get a great shock, and that I would win. I was thinking of saving the deposit at the time.
TF: I can imagine. What was it you think that made people vote for you?
PD: Well we were the only party who gave a distinctive agenda to the electorate. All the others talked waffle. I looked at all the leaflets, I couldn’t make anything of them all, they were all the same.
TF: You did give a distinctive agenda, you’re absolutely right, you made some real points on that. Let’s just have a look - let’s have a look at them shall we? The first one of course I think’s an easy one - you’re going to cut the mayor’s salary.
PD: That’s the first thing this morning
TF: Down to £30,000 a year. Now, some people could look at that Peter and say, well, you get more than that for running a supermarket these days. Surely a council deserves… a bit more respect?
PD: No, the council deserves somebody who’s going to run it properly, and it deserves somebody who’s prepared to give their services partly free, in a sense - at one time all local government councillors did all the free, er, it’s become a gravy train and I’m not prepared to be part of that.
TF: So what about the people who work for you? The deputy mayor, other people in the departments - are you cutting their wages as well?
PD: Er, well, I’ve discussed that with-, well not- not the people in the departments, I can’t- I’ve no control over what they’ve been given, but the deputy mayor and the rest of the cabinet will discuss that at, at the earliest opportunity.
TF: Well, you say you’ve no control over people in the departments, one of the big things on your campaign was that you’re going to cut ‘PC jobs’.
PD: Oh yeah, that’s a different thing altogether, er-
TF: Which jobs are those?
PD: Well, er, I’m going to look into that. Things like Diversity Officers, er, the things that are usually advertised in the Manchester-, well, it’s not the Manchester Guardian now - in the Guardian…
TF: Right, so have-, so, so hang on, so so there are politically…
PD: I mean, I can’t give you a full list at the moment, but I will…
TF: But that’s what you put on your manifesto - you must have had an idea on your manifesto what you were talking about?
PD: Yeah, yeah, all these people who are, sort of, controlling thought processes and this sort of thing, and er, erm… every department is riddled with this sort of nonsense these days.TF: So currently then, this morning, Doncaster Council is riddled with people who are, who are doing this kind of nonsense, ah… and they’re on notice, are they? People are going to lose their jobs?PD: Er, very likely.
TF: But we don’t know who they are, yeah? But certainly Diversity Officers…
PD: Obviously I… I’m… well, that sort of thing, yes.
TF: So, the Diversity Officer who’s getting ready for work this morning at Doncaster might as well not bother?
PD: Well, he’s… he’s in employment at the moment…
TF: But he won’t be for long?
PD: …I think, I think we ought to be talking about what we’re going to do sort of, er, now and, er, what I’ve discovered - that might be a more fruitful discussion.
TF: Well, I mean… these are the reasons people voted for you. Very bold points, as you said. Er, you’re going to cut translation services for non-English speakers - that’s a very bold point. It’s more than likely illegal, isn’t it?
PD: I dunno… again, I’ve got to find this out. It’s-
TF: Well it is - let me tell you it is, under the European Court of Human Rights it’s illegal.
PD: Well, well, well let… we’ll look into this - we’re getting counsel’s opinion on what I can do and what I can’t do, and that’s…
TF: No, no, you said in your manifesto you would definitely do it.
PD: Yeah, well, I… well, I, er, if, if somebody comes in the way and stops me doing these things, then that is an insult to democracy.
TF: So what was the point of your manifesto? You might as well have said you were going to fly to the moon if you’re just going to say now that you can’t do it.
PD: No, look… I’m going to do my best to do it. If I can’t, I shall tell the electorate why I’ve not been able to do it, and who’s stood in the way of it. The…
TF: Well, the law’s standing in the way of it.
PD: Just a minute, just a minute. The electorate clearly want me to do that. The law needs changing, then, doesn’t it?
TF: Well, you say the law needs changing-
PD: If we get a new government, then we might get rid of some of this ludicrous legislation, and be able to run our own country again.
TF: Okay, now you’re going to cut the number of councillors from 60 to 20.
PD: That is another difficulty, and the first-
TF: Can’t do it, can you?
PD: Er, well, we can appeal to their moral consciences-
TF: So you can’t do it, can you?
PD: Look, you keep telling me what I can’t do. I’ll find out what I can’t do, and if I can’t do…
TF: You are finding out now, I’m telling you, Peter, you can’t do it. You’d have thought you’d have thought of this before you started.
PD: This is quite a pointless discussion. Completely pointless.
TF: Why?
PD: Well - I’m sitting here telling you what I want to do, you’re telling me I can’t do it. I’ll find out - not from you, from other people - if I can do it or not.
TF: Why didn’t you look at to see-
PD: That’s where we go. And then we tell the electorate what’s going on.
TF: Why didn’t you look to see if you could do it before you asked people to vote on it?
PD: Because people want this to happen. And it’s time we-
TF: We all want free speech, Peter, but why didn’t you look into it to see if it could happen before you asked 14,000 people to vote on it? You know what’s going to happen - they got upset with the political processes in Doncaster before, they disliked Martin Winter. You’ve come along, you’ve waved this flag, knowing you can’t back any of it up and they’ve voted for you. How are they going to feel when they realise they’ve been hoodwinked?
PD: They’ve not been hoodwinked, I’m a man of my word, and I shall do everything that I can to put this into practice. And that is something that Doncaster’s not had before.
TF: You’re going to cut the Gay Pride funding.
PD: Yep.
TF: Erm, how much did Doncaster Council fund Gay Pride?
PD: Haven’t got a clue, I haven’t looked into… I haven’t got the details, I… I haven’t even started-
TF: About right, isn’t it? So how much did… how much was it worth to Doncaster?
PD: How…er, what?
TF: The Gay Pride march. 8,000 people in town for a day.
PD: I don’t know. They can still come. There’s nobody stopping them coming.
TF: So you don’t know what it costs, you don’t know what it earns, but you’re banning it?
PD: I’m saying that… hard-pressed taxpayers money should not be spent on promoting any type of sexuality whether it’s straight or gay.
TF: But for all you-, but for all you know it could be making a fortune for the town - you don’t know, you’ve not even looked at it.
PD: Well, it, er… it may, it may or it may not, I’m telling you what I’m not doing, and again it was on the manifesto, it was quite clear people appeared to like what I was saying.
TF: Yeah, but the stuff on the manifesto we’ve already realised - you can’t do anything about it.
PD: I think it’s time we finished this interview, it’s quite pointless. I’ve… I… It’s really wasted… I wanted to say a few things this morning that might have been-
TF: Tell me what you want to say.
PD: …that people might have wanted to listen to.
TF: Tell me what you want to say.
PD: Well, I wanted to point out that this morning I was going to, er, see that two social workers were returned to the childrens hospital, er, which were taken away some time ago for some unaccountable reason. I was going to say we’re getting rid of Doncaster News at the earliest opportunity, and I also wanted to point out that this very weekend I’ve discovered that Doncaster is twinned with nine separate towns, er, that the Mayor… the ex-Mayor had a car, for what reason I don’t know. It’s quite reasonable that the Civic Mayor has a car, but why the elected Mayor has one, God only knows, er, and it looks to me like a Daily Telegraph moment, where I shall be discovering things every day that, er, can be got rid of.
TF: Okay… none of that really means anything, does it? Let’s have a look at Doncaster News. You’re getting rid of Doncaster News, that’s a, er, flyer… er, paper that goes to every home in the borough isn’t it, to tell them what you’re doing?
PD: Well, it was to distort… er, what Mayor Winter was doing, yes.
TF: So now you’re stopping communication with the people of Doncaster?
PD: No - communication will be through the Doncaster Free Press, though Radio Sheffield if we can get some sensible interviews…
TF: Heh.
PD: …and, er, the free newspapers.
TF: So the people who work on Doncaster News, then, are they out of work as well?
PD: I don’t know, I don’t… I, I, don’t know what their full… I’ve… I… I’ve not even got… been in the office yet, I’ve… I’ve not even…
TF: This is the problem, isn’t it…
PD: …had the briefing from the Chief Executive-
TF: You actually don’t understand the laws, you don’t understand-
PD: Okay, I’m stopping this interview, it’s a complete waste of time, er, you’re not asking any sensible questions, and er, I really don’t want to continue.
TF: Peter, all I’m asking is how you’re going to deliver on your election manifesto?[Phone hangs up]TF: Well, I can assure you, that’s going to be one of the easiest he gets.
-ends-

Political developments

The first of which is the election of the BNP in this and the Yorkshire region in the European elections.
I wasn't entirely surprised. the electoral system is a curious one which doesn't allow for very easy tactical voting. For example, if the Greens had gained 5000 extra votes from Labour or the Libdems, the BNP would not have been elected, and the number of Lab or Libdem MEP's would not have been affected.
Having said that, it is the case that the Labour heartlands did not, in the main, bother to vote for anyone. It is all too easy to blame scapegoats when times are hard, and when it seems that no-one is very bothered about some very basic issues like - more than anything else - provision of social housing. I am quite convinced that is the most effective recruiter for the BNP. The Labour party does need to get back to its basics.
It is certainly a sad day when this region has a fascist amongst its representatives. No mincing of words, the BNP is a fascist party, based on the policies and principles of Nazism. And they do need to be opposed, resolutely, although I am not convinced that throwing eggs at Griffin is the best way of doing it - lets not turn them into martyrs, please.

As for the survival of Brown, I remain to be convinced that it is a sensible decision. There does appear to be a problem in terms of people's wish to be led and to have someone charismatic to do it. And that isn't Brown.

Why is David Southall not in prison?

Because this 'doctor', noted for making outlandish false allegations of abuse which he gained from watching people being interviewed on TV programmes - I think it is time that these self-appointed 'experts' played no part in any decision. It is no more than their opinion, and it appears that a contradictory one can always be found.

Southall is a menace. He is someone so sure of his own 'expertise' and rightness, yet time after time he has been wrong. He should be put on trial for any consequences that flowed from his so-called 'expertise'. In my view, it is a relief that he has been struck off - but this should have happened many years ago. in my opinion, people like Southall should be weeded out of the medical profession. They are dangerous messiahs, yet their power is enough to influence the BBC to make an entirely partial and biased documentary about him. Roy Meadow, who accused Sally Clark without evidence which saw her imprisoned and led to her early death, is another medical menace who got away with it. Its just not good enough.

Let's hear the other side - for Southall has had quite enough chance over the years to spread his opinions, and we all know the consequences.

The last days of Gordon?

Looking more and more as if Brown will depart in the next few days. Not entirely surprising, but I think it is regrettable if all future PM's have to be smooth and media-honed.

I even voted Labour in the European election today in sympathy - but I think he will have to stand down.

Catching up....

Eurovision last week. The weakest contest for a long time and certainly the worst winner in history - nothing more than a simplistic kids song. Horrible.

The risible hypocrisy-fest regarding the MP's and their piffling expenses continues. I sometimes think I have absolutely nothing in common with the British. I must have been born here by mistake. The pursed-up, 'definitely-disgusting' morons regularly venting their made-up 'anger' on the TV make me want to vomit. As much as I think Anthony Steen MP is a bit of an old duffer, he talked a lot of sense. It IS envy, it is largely because people haven't had the opportunity to do the same, and I think most people in the same position would have done the same.

After all, the thought of being governed by moralistic know-alls like Frank Field, who looks as if he is allergic to fun, should be enough to tell us that this is yet another British over-reaction displaying their preference for the puritanical

Just sent to Guardian.....

Dear Sirs

The current hysteria surrounding the issue of MP's expenses has highlighted the petty, small-minded prurience of the British public. As ever they have responded to what are, frankly, issues of little real importance, with the usual puritanical 'outrage'.

There are far more vital issues and problems, and this minor matter does not merit the over-reaction of either media or public

Yours sincerely.....

Having said that, I thought this was apt

Eurovision semi 1

Generally good results. My favourites - Malta, Portugal both qualified. Switzerland, a very lacklustre performance, and wasn't too surprised it didn't make it. No rock music through at all. Israel sounded better than on CD, and deserved to get through. Iceland sang very well but there's still something missing for me. Armenia also better than anticipated.

Barmy nut-job Christians rise again

You just couldn't make it up

FINDLAY, Ohio – A student at a fundamentalist Baptist school that forbids dancing, rock music, hand-holding and kissing will be suspended if he takes his girlfriend to her public high school prom, his principal said.

Despite the warning, 17-year-old Tyler Frost, who has never been to a dance before, said he plans to attend Findlay High School's prom Saturday.

Frost, a senior at Heritage Christian School in northwest Ohio, agreed to the school's rules when he signed a statement of cooperation at the beginning of the year, principal Tim England said.

The teen, who is scheduled to receive his diploma May 24, would be suspended from classes and receive an "incomplete" on remaining assignments, England said. Frost also would not be permitted to attend graduation but would get a diploma once he completes final exams. If Frost is involved with alcohol or sex at the prom, he will be expelled, England said.

Frost's stepfather Stephan Johnson said the school's rules should not apply outside the classroom.

"He deserves to wear that cap and gown," Johnson said.

Frost said he thought he had handled the situation properly. Findlay requires students from other schools attending the prom to get a signature from their principal, which Frost did.

"I expected a short lecture about making the right decisions and not doing something stupid," Frost said. "I thought I would get his signature and that would be the end."

England acknowledged signing the form but warned Frost there would be consequences if he attended the dance. England then took the issue to a school committee made up of church members, who decided to threaten Frost with suspension.

"In life, we constantly make decisions whether we are going to please self or please God. (Frost) chose one path, and the school committee chose the other," England said.

The handbook for the 84-student Christian school says rock music "is part of the counterculture which seeks to implant seeds of rebellion in young people's hearts and minds."

England said Frost's family should not be surprised by the school's position.

"For the parents to claim any injustice regarding this issue is at best forgetful and at worst disingenuous," he said. "It is our hope that the student and his parents will abide by the policies they have already agreed to."

The principal at Findlay High School, whose graduates include Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, said he respects, but does not agree with, Heritage Christian School's view of prom.

"I don't see (dancing and rock music) as immoral acts," Craig Kupferberg said.

___

Information from: The Courier, http://www.thecourier.com

Politicians and priorities

The British public sometimes give the impression of being less than bright. And hypocritical.
Its well known that tax avoidance is rife. As is taking a sickie.
Yet when it comes to MP's we have all the current hysteria. Not that I agree with false claims, but the only sensible solution - a higher salary to enable two homes to be maintained - wouldn;t win public support either.

I find it sad and am not in the least surprised that so much interest is created in something so ultimately unimportant, leaving key issues by the wayside.

As for the 'holier than thou' stance of London Tory (sorry, she's supposedly Labour)MP Kate Hoey, its a bit easier when you are single and have a central London seat

This years pre-ESC review

Montenegro – Very 80’s throwback, its one of those songs which sounds OK on first listen but there really isn’t much to it, and it soon palls. Average at best

Czech Republic – This years Borat out-take. Pretty horrible all told. The shouty rapping definitely doesn’t work and this will be near the bottom of the pile

Belgium – Well, the Copycat name is obvious enough, although this is rather more Alvin Stardust than Elvis Pressup. Having the two novelty-ish entries at the beginning may not do them a lot of good. This is what you expect it to be.

Belarus – Very loud intro. Substandard stadium rock, and I don’t like the singing

Sweden – This years popera effort. I think its essentially a schlager song with an overblown opera chorus and it just screams ‘Swedish eurovision entry’. Which is fine if that’s your thing, but this isn’t mine....

Armenia – And the dross goes on.....this is one of those ‘ethnic but contemporary’ efforts which doesn’t go anywhere very much and isn’t particularly remarkable whilst dping so. It also requires a tune.

Andorra – I don’t rate this very highly, it’s an average pop song, But after the preceding bilge, it doesn’t sound too bad. Entirely forgettable, nonetheless

Switzerland – I have a reputation for not being a rock fan, but whatever category one places this in, it should sail through if there’s any justice. Musically its spot-on, interesting instrumentation, and the overall feel is somewhere between the Pet Shop Boys and New Order. Actually reminds me of ‘Disappointed’. What it has going for it is a good melody and a haunting atmosphere..

Turkey – So, so predictable. Unfortunately, there are always votes for this sort of thing, no matter how dull and unremarkable. You couldn’t get much more routine than this one. Ethnic kebab-shop-by-numbers. Boring, boring

Israel – Good singers who sound professional and harmonious. I don’t think it’s a great song, but after all the noise so far it comes over as quite different and refreshing

Bulgaria – This is straight out of the Communards/Jimi Somerville songbook, but to be able to get away with this sort of thing, you have to be able to do it very well. Sung well, this could win. But all the live performances so far have been excruciating

Iceland – This is a sweet little ballad, nicely sung, but somehow it misses something. I’m not sure what.

Macedonia – Even louder than Belarus. More stadium rock, and I’m not the person to be able to give an unbiased view....not for me

Romania – Another very dull song which doesn’t really do anything or get anywhere. Dullsville

Finland – very, very bad rapping, and usually rapping does badly in the contest. The chorus is pretty predictable Steps-style pop. No thanks

Portugal – And so to the class. This is delightful, it’s uplifting and cute. If Urban Trad can do well, why not this?

Malta – I’m a great Chiara fan and she can certainly sell a song. This isn’t as strong a song as either of the previous entries. But the chorus is very memorable. I think it will qualify and may do much better than some predict

Bosnia – This is a serious contender. It’s a dramatic song, well sung, I don’t like it as much on a few listens as the first time round but it will be a definite qualifier

Croatia – This year’s slice of Balkan doom. Its not one of the best examples, but he looks good and it may be remembered enough to qualify.

Ireland – I’d hoped for a really good Irish en try this year, but they really have lost the plot. This is a very weak Americanised song which classes as their worst effort to date

Latvia – In the ‘Bizarre’ corner comes this messy and tuneless cacophony. He’s a good singer, but this isn’t a good vehicle for a voice with lots of range

Serbia – There seems to be a surfeit of music claiming to be ‘folk’. This is the second Borat outtake only they have borrowed the lead singer of Right said Fred, fattened him up , and given him a wig. Its silly but then its meant to be. I think,

Poland – The response to this has been quite underwhelming so far, but I think it’s a good ballad – certainly much better than Iceland. Good melody, well sung on CD though I gather the live performances lack something. But it’s one of my favourites

Norway – Every so often, rationality disappears and something turns up which you love – or in this case, hate, hate , hate. Its not only that the song is a clichéd, derivative, irritant, nor that he has a face just waiting to be punched. Nor that something so cynically pitching for eastern votes is supposedly ‘traditional’. Its everything wrong with European pop in three loathsome minutes.

Cyprus – The performance in both the semi and final was in the Sophie Carle ‘little-girl-lost-with-out-of-key-voice’, which to an extent works, but not the out of tune bit. Song-wise this is really nice but whether such a huge improvement will be possible before the contest, I’m not sure.

Slovakia – Dramatic stuff, this. May all depend on the performance, but this sort of thing can do better than early predictions suggest – Tell Me Why being the obvious example. It isn’t the most tuneful song around, but it does stand out.

Denmark – What a cute boy! This is the sort of thing Ireland ought to be entering – and yes, it does sound like Ronan Keating. A million times better than Norway, it’s a grower, but can he do the song justice, particularly those high notes. If so, it’s a contender.

Slovenia – This must be the surprise selection of the year. It’s quite creative stuff but there’s just something a bit daft about watching what is effectively an instrumental being mimed on stage. I think it might qualify

Hungary – This is a bit gay. Actually, it’s very gay. But it’s not very good. Really predictable . It does what it says on the tin but this is one for recycling

Azerbaijan – Of the songs in this vein, this one is the strongest. I don’t actually like it, but it sounds fresher than the others and the voices work well.

Greece- The absolutely heterosexual Mr. Rouvas returns. He’s not much of a singer but then this doesn’t require a lot of singing. He’s fit and he can move, and like Chiara, he can sell a song. There’s a certain charisma there. Shake It sounds just great speeding to Athens airport in the back of a Greek taxi and this may do as well but it really doesn’t do much for me

Lithuania- This years ‘quiet song’ is pleasant enough but I think it needs a ‘lift’ melodically. It lacks light and shade.

Moldova- This year’s ultra-ethnic outing. I loved the jazz ballad last year but knew it wouldn’t get many votes. This really does sound like something you would stagger around drunkenly to but i have a feeling it could amass a few votes.

Albania- This sounds very Scandinavian to me. It’s nice enough but a bit unremarkable

Ukraine- There had to be one. Musical merit nil, heavy on the gimmicks. Tuneless and clichéd. Just horrible

Estonia – On first hearing I thought this was a bit ‘cold’, but it’s now one of my favourites. Haunting and ethereal, and a bit different....

Netherlands- Sometimes a joke entry works, but its important that everyone is in on the joke. To an outsider, this looks like three old blokes dressed as Liberace singing a schlager show tune

France- This is really classy, sleazy, jazzy stuff. It does stand out from the crowd – I can imagine it behind the credits on a film noir. Its also thoroughly French. Excellent

Spain- They do seem to have got into a rut of entering very predictable upbeat songs which scream ‘Spanish Eurovision entry’. This is another in the sequence, and its utterly forgettable

Germany- Conversely, Germany often enter interesting songs but they don’t always do well. This is very smooth and professional, I fancy the singer, and it’s a grower. But somehow I don’t think it is going to do very well. I hope I’m wrong.

UK- I’m not a fan of our entries on the whole, and actually having the UK on or near the top of the pile at this stage in the contest is almost unheard of. But this is the best ballad in the contest. It’s a memorable tune, and the ALW factor may help it along

Russia – Playing to the home crowd gallery I think. I don’t like it

Anyone else find our current political choices depressing?

We have a Labour government which is tired and has run out of steam. Considering the size of their majority, they could have done so much to enforce real change - but they actually didn't want to. Some good things, yes, but on the whole, disappointing. I'm not amongst those who criticise Brown for not being a charismatic leader. Vision seems to matter little when it comes to actually making real change, and messianic zeal can be somewhat concerning.

The Liberal Democrats appear to be all things to all people. But I can't work out what they really stand for. They appear to be travelling down the same neo-liberal path as the current government and the official opposition. They appear to have trimmed their pro-EU stance. Clegg makes my flesh creep. All in all, I can't really distinguish them a lot from moderate Tories. And I have no interest in voting for moderate Tories.

Which is why for me, no conservative party will ever be a choice I will opt for, because I am not conservative.

So, three main parties, none of who have anything very much to offer. Anyone here from any other party willing to sell me a reason for voting for them?

The right to commit suicide and treating adults as infants

http://www.exitinternational.net/

This is the website of Exit International, a pro-euthanasia society founded by Dr Philip Nitschke, who the Home office attempted to prevent from entering the UK.

Ludicrous. People should be treated as adults and there is nothing illegal about committing suicide. Nitschke appears to have worried the nannies because they wish to prevent people from making up their own minds. It really is about time that people stopped being protected from themselves. It is also the fact that once again, it is religionists who are trying to enforce their will upon others. Just like they try and make us live out our dying days in their revolting hospices, utterly unable to remove suffering without huge doses of morphine - I would never want to go into any of those vile places, filled with simpering religiosity and utterly immoral in their view that life is 'sacred' and people unable to make up their own minds.

What are these people so scraed of? Why do they wish to continue to infantilise the whole of life? Treat people as grown ups and let them have the choice - and if they make the decision you don't like - tough. Its not yours to make.

Oppose the self-hatred lie-peddlers

Something which deserves publicity - I can't make it but all power to those who can. The self-hatred movement needs to be exposed - all these people need to give up is their religion!

Protest/Demonstration:
Against Conference on Treatment to Eliminate Homosexuality in Gay Men & Women

Saturday 25 April 2009
13:00 - 15:00
at "The Emmanuel Centre", 9-23 Marsham Street, London, UK.

For further details of this protest see:
facebook.com/event.php?eid=71287658602

For background see:
pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12074.html#
pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12110.html#
guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2004/apr/03/weekend.deccaaitkenhead

Joseph Nicolosi, the main speaker at the above Conference, claims that academic research has verified that his "Reparative Therapy" works and works well, but it has since been found that the "academic research" was flawed: people whose homosexuality was treated were simply approached and asked if the therapy had worked, yes or no. Of course, the vast majority of the self-hating gay men and women who had put themselves under Nicolosi's therapy simply said "Yes" to their interviewer . . . but many have subsequently been found continuing to exercise their true gay or lesbian identities on the quiet. However, devout Catholic fundamentalist Joseph Nicolosi and his associates continue to ply their trade, "Reparative Therapy". They are charlatans and frauds.

50p top tax rate in the budget

The only question is - why the hell this wasn't done before, and why the proceeds could not have been used to ensure a stronger manufacturing base and a stop to privatisation.

New Labour have squandered their opportunities. This is the right move, but done for the wrong reasons.

If only there was a reasonable social democratic alternative. I think the Tories would be worse, and Nick Clegg is a Tory, through and through. No alternatives there.

A trip to the States

The Deep South no less, that land of many syllables and very loony right-wing views. Perhaps less so in the cities, but out in the boondocks - well....

Its interesting to see just how livid the right wing are. Rage, rage and more rage. And they just don't get that they lost the election, and think the reason they did so was that they weren't conservative enough. Bizarre. Fox News appears to be even more right wing than ever, MSNBC more liberal - watch the two stations report on the same event, it could be about two entirely different things.

We visited Atlanta, Charleston and Savannah, doing all the 'Midnight in the garden....' stuff in the latter. Savannah is certainly a stunningly beautiful place, very relaxed and Southern. Southern hospitality is certainly apparent everywhere we went, almost exaggeratedly so - at times I longed for some sharp New York backchat. We went out to North Georgia on one of the days and entered a shop to try and find out where the local potters shop was. We were met by three people who looked like extras from the Beverly Hillbillies. They stared at us as if we had landed from another planet - we could imagine them saying, after we left 'well, they weren't from these parts.....'. 80% in those areas voted Republican.

Saw some great music in Atlanta - saxophonist Boney James. I do like the US narrow-cast radio policy where the stations focus on one style of music - there are some excellent R&B/soul stations in the area.

New director of Vatican plc's UK branch

Don't know what it is about Crosby which produces Archbishops. Robert Runcie for the Anglos and now the Vaticanists have their revenge.

A predictable choice of someone who is not only a redshite, but the expected homophobe and cultural conservative, which goes with the territory. thankfully, this means that he will be further marginalised and seen as a sectarian figure in a country which continues to lose interest in religionism. The Vaticanist variety is particularly struggling, and as the Poles go home, there are no obvious replacements.

I wonder if he will do Ratfinger's bidding with regard to the frankly, hypocritical stance of the English church with regard to gay Catholic priests. The former Hitler Youth member would like to sort this out (meaning 'clear out the gays' from the seminaries - and on one level, I sympathise, as there presence signifies lack of openness and self-acceptance which I think is regrettable). Will Nichols have the bottle to do this?

The G20

Is there anything much to say? Brown got some of what he wanted, but not everything. No-one really knows whether what has been announced will 'work' or not. There were the usual demonstrations, some of which ended up in the pointless breaking of windows - and haven't the RBS heard of shutters?

Is it just me or are there others who find the whole thing unremarkable? We have a cyclical downturn which in a globalised world will inevitably affect every country. Continue to see free trade and globalisation as the answer and expect the same at some time in the future.

MP's expenses

I'm bored to death with this topic. It is open to abuse just as much as any other system like this is open to abuse....

I would suggest that we pay MP's a decent professional London wage, that MP's should then be expected to have one main home either in London or the constituency, and a flat in either as well. London MP's do not need two homes and so should be paid slightly less. MP's in grace-and-favour accommodation should also have a reduced salary.

The current system is bringing politics into disrepute.

I must be doing something right....

Decided to reply to Mad Mel's rantings in the Daily Liar (if you must read, try http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1165719/MELANIE-PHILIPS-When-bishop-leave-Church-England-stand-Christians-hope-left-Britain.html )

And my comment has attracted no less than 104 disapproving voices! That's over 40 ahead of anyone else!

What shame it would be to think of the loony conservatives and reactionaries who lap up Phillips' arrant nonsense agreeing with me....

Anyway, good to see the dreaded Nazi-Rally step down - someone more vain or self-important would be hard to imagine.

Hate speech

I find it rather ridiculous that the almost irrelevant topic of jokes appears to have been the focus of this debate.

I also note that in the commons debate, the so-called 'left-wing' MP David Taylor, led the anti-gay lobby

However, the amendment was defeated and quite right too....and if it stops the terminally unfunny Rowan Atkinson telling any more jokes, all the better! But that isn't what the amendment is about. It should be possible to express a view without being offensive.